10 Best Fishing Kayaks of 2021 that you can buy right now in Alberta (Calgary/Edmonton)

Article By: Joe Seaborne 2021-04-06

Ugly Stick Catfish rod

I’ve always thought about buying a fishing kayak after seeing them on the fishing channel. They looked really neat and I liked how compact yet effective everything looked! I remember I would always watch this show on the fishing channel that was all about kayak fishing. It was sort of an extreme fishing show that showed people in fishing kayaks going after things like tarpon, catfish, and shark. The show also filmed them fishing in places like the Amazon, which really demonstrated the versatility of a kayak!

Although I always wanted a fishing kayak, I just couldn’t justify buying one because I already had a fishing boat. Plus my wife enjoys fishing almost as much as I do, so chances of me fishing alone were slim to none.

The turning point for me was when my wife got pregnant with our little boy. For obvious reasons she had to put a pause on her fishing adventures (that goes for me as well) until we could get back into a normal routine.

Well “getting back into normal routine” never happened because having a baby is a full-time job!

Long story short, since I’m a dad now and have a full list of responsibilities, it’s not always easy for me to go fishing all day every weekend!

So, what was my magic solution?

Time management! I figured the only way to keep fishing until my boy was old enough to bring along was to keep my trips short and sweet.

The decision to buy a fishing kayak

That meant fishing alone for only a couple hours each trip. Hauling a full-size boat just wouldn’t be worth it anymore, so I made the decision to go ahead and get a fishing kayak.

How to choose the best fishing kayak?

I actually didn’t know very much about fishing kayaks other than what I saw on tv ( pretty much nothing ). Since I wasn’t sure where to begin I did some digging around to find answers to some questions I had.

Is a sit-in or sit-on kayak better for fishing?

A sit-on kayak: is going to be more comfortable and accommodating while fishing. Most sit-on kayaks are going to allow you to sit, stand and move around more freely. This was something that I really valued since I would be bringing along an assortment of fishing gear, a cooler and my rods.

Sit-in kayaks: are going to be better for rough water. They allow you to recover from flipping and have a lower centre of gravity. I wasn't planning on taking my kayak anywhere treacherous, so opted for the sit-on style kayak.

What are the different types of fishing kayaks?


Pedal drive fishing kayaks:

I found that a wide variety of fishing kayaks come with a pedal drive system. This allows you to move forward or reverse by pedalling your kayak like a bicycle. The cool thing about a kayak with a pedal drive system is that they allow you to fish hands-free.

Electric motors:

Most of the more expensive fishing kayaks come with an electric trolling motor. They are surprisingly fast and very quiet.

Regular fishing kayak:

The standard fishing kayaks don’t have a pedal drive or electric motor to navigate with. It’s just you and your paddle.

Can you stand on a fishing kayak?

Most of the fishing kayaks I looked at are build with a wider base and a flatter top. This allows you to stand while you are casting or simply get up to stretch.

Can you customize a fishing kayak?

Yes: you can completely customize a fishing kayak to match your exact needs! Some common customizations are rod holders, coolers, cup holders, storage, an electric motor, and a fish finder.

How heavy is the average fishing kayak?

Excluding electronics and gear, most fishing kayaks are under 100lbs - making them easy to transport and carry. This makes them especially desirable for people that drive a car.

How do you transport a fishing kayak?

You’ll find a wide selection of manufacturers and suppliers that make racks and mini trailers specially designed for kayaks.

Why are some kayaks wider than others?

A wider kayak is going to give the user greater stability and be better for things like standing. But it’s also going to be harder to maneuver and take more effort to paddle, making it a bit of a trade-off.

On the flip side, a narrow kayak will cut through the water and be better for things like trolling and getting around the lake. So it really depends on the type of fishing you’re planning on doing.

How much weight can a fishing kayak carry?

This will vary, but most fishing kayaks are good for around 400-550lbs. Now, that sounds like a lot but it’s really not! Once you factor in all your fishing gear, boating accessories and body weight, there’s not a lot left for the non-essentials. That’s why it’s so important to be organized and have efficient gear. It also helps to lose a few pounds, but that’s beyond the scope of this article.

What kayak did I choose?

After exploring the world of fishing kayaks, I decided to go with something that would give me good stability while fishing. This was important to me because I wanted to be able to stand while fishing. I also wanted something that had decent maneuverability and wasn’t going to be overly difficult to get across the lake in. I wasn’t planning on bringing a lot of gear with me so I didn’t need a lot of weight capacity. On top of all this, I needed a fishing kayak that wasn't going to break the bank but also good quality.

I narrowed my search down to a select few and ultimately decided to go with the Old Town Sportsman 106. I chose the OLD TOWN SPORTSMAN 106because of its wide base, durable lite-weight construction and it's affordability.

What Fishing Kayak should you choose?

With the wide selection of options, specs and price points - choosing the right kayak can be a daunting task! The best advice I can give you is to just do your research, check out reviews and pick out the kayak that best suits your needs. I've included a list of what I think are the best fishing kayaks of 2021.



The Top 10 Best Fishing Kayaks That You Can Buy Right Now In Alberta (Calgary/Edmonton)



  1. OLD TOWN SPORTSMAN PDL 106 ANGLER KAYAK



  2. WILDERNESS SYSTEMS TARPON 120 KAYAK



  3. JACKSON BITE FD KAYAK



  4. JACKSON COOSA FD FISHING KAYAK



  5. WILDERNESS SYSTEMS RECON 120 FISHING KAYAK



  6. WILDERNESS SYSTEMS RECON 120 HD FISHING KAYAK



  7. OLD TOWN SPORTSMAN 120



  8. OLD TOWN SPORTSMAN 106



  9. OLD TOWN SPORTSMAN 106 POWERED BY MINN KOTA



  10. OLD TOWN SPORTSMAN AUTOPILOT 120

where to buy fishing kayaks in Alberta (Calgary/Edmonton)

All of the kayaks I listed are available at Aquabatics at either the Calgary or Edmonton locations. you can also shop or browse for kayaks online through the Aquabatics website. The nice thing about shopping online with a local retailer is that if you have any troubles it's easy to visit the physical location to get help.